Can Trojans beat the Irish and history?

Two especially good contests to watch this weekend: one in the major college ranks and one in prep football. Here’s a look.

Pros: Are Rams and Chargers on a roll?

The Los Angeles Rams posted a must win victory over Jacksonville last week, but the offense looked suspect. If not for touchdowns on a kickoff return and an interception, Jacksonville would have won. The Rams (4-2) will have to do better against the Arizona Cardinals (3-3) and probably will. The Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) seem to have found their footing and should provide a tough contest with the Denver Broncos (3-2).

Colleges: Irish-Trojan rivalry continues

• There are few rivalries with more glamour than Saturday’s battle in South Bend between USC and Notre Dame. The Trojans (6-1) have had just one bad game, but host Notre Dame (5-1) can run well and has a strong secondary which could give Sam Darnold fits.
• While SoCal still harbors playoff hopes, the UCLA Bruins (3-3) must win to harbor any Rose Bowl hopes. Oregon (4-3) is beatable, especially if Josh Rosen has a big day.
• Chapman University (3-2) visits LaVerne (2-2) in a SCIAC game on Saturday. Should be close.
• Golden West College (2-4) travels south to play Palomar College (4-2) on Saturday at Escondido High.

High schools: Can Griffs short-circuit Chargers?

It’s starting to become crunch time in high school football league races, and few games are crunchier than Thursday’s contest between Los Alamitos and Edison, two teams that are unbeaten in Sunset League action. Here’s a look at this week’s prep gridiron action.

• Los Alamitos (4-4) at Edison (6-2) at Cap Sheue Field (Huntington Beach High) on Thursday: This is the one which will decide the Sunset crown. Despite the disparity in records, these two are evenly matched with very good passing attacks. Our guess: Chargers by a touchdown.
• Orange (6-1) at Segerstrom (6-1) on Thursday: The Golden West League has five pretty good teams and these are two of the best. The Panthers lost a close one to Westminster last week and are looking to rebound. Our guess: Orange in another nail-biter.
• La Quinta (6-1) at Rancho Alamitos (5-2) at Bolsa Grande Stadium on Friday: If we assume that Garden Grove – which has already beaten LQ – will beat Rancho later, this game is for second place in the Garden Grove League. Or, if the Vaqs win, could put the green-and-gold in position to upset the Argos and grab a crown when they meet. Our guess: Rancho by three.

Other games include …

• Thursday: Pacifica (6-1) at Western (3-4); Los Amigos (1-6) at Bolsa Grande (1-6).
• Friday: Santiago (4-3) at Garden Grove (3-3); Marina (3-4) at Huntington Beach (2-5).